Table of Contents

7 Series IV. Personal and professional correspondence, 1936-1997
Includes literary, personal, and business correspondence. See also Series I
for correspondence related to the publication of particular books. The
material in each subseries is arranged alphabetically by name or
organization and then chronologically within folders.
Series IV.1. Personal and literary correspondence, 1936-1997
Bell, Marvin, 1969-1987
Poet and teacher Marvin Bell was a close friend of Justice. Includes typescript
poems by Bell and letters from others. In his forty letters he discusses writing,
teaching, the Creative Writing Program at the University of Iowa, travels, poetry
readings, and offers Justice feedback on his poems.
F280 1969-1971
F281 1972-1979
F282 1980-1981
F283 1982-1987
F284 Berryman, John, 1954-1955
Includes three letters to Justice, which mention his work and Justice's poems, as
well as a copy of his letter of recommendation for Justice.
F285 Bly, Robert, 1973-1994
Includes two letters and three typescript poems written by Bly.
Booth, Philip, 1965-1986
Poet Booth, who taught with Justice at Syracuse, writes regarding teaching, his
family, Justice's poetry, and his own poems. Includes thirty-four letters, six
typescript poems written by Booth, and several photograph postcards.
F286 1965-1972
F287 1973-1986
F288 Bowers, Edgar, 1956-1996
Includes seven letters.
F289 Caetani, Marguerite, 1955-1957
Three letters from the editor of Botteghe Oscur regarding possible publication of
Justice's poems.
F290 Carlile, Henry, [1981 Nov 13]
Postcard from Carlile and Sandy McPherson.
F291 Carver, Ray, 1978 Sep 7
One letter.
F292 Cole, Henri, 1994-1995
Two letters.
F293 Cooper, Jane, 1979-1995
Three letters.
F294 Coulette, Henri, 1972-1987
Eight letters discussing his health, family, his and Justice's poetry, and travels.
See also Justice's letters to Coulette (F322-329), an Justice's article on Coulette's
poetry (F266), and "Poems from letters written to Henri Coulette" (F28).
F295 Dickey, James, 1962 Oct 28
One letter regarding teaching.
F296 Donovan, Laurence, 1994-1995
Poet and printmaker Laurence Donovan is an "old Miami friend" of Justice. The
nine letters discuss travels, his work, friends, and include sixteen photographs and
a clipping.
F297 Duncan, Harry, 1964-1978
Four letters concerning a 1964 book of French translations, his poetry, and family.
F298 Eberhart, Richard, 1984 Apr 27
One letter concerning Yaddo.
F299 Engle, Paul, 1956-1987
Eleven letters regarding the 1986 Iowa Creative Writing Workshop reunion,
getting poetry published, Justice's The Sunset Maker, and the "postface"
(typescript included) for Contemporary French Poetry. Includes Engle's
broadside poem, "Heartland."
F300 Feldman, Irving, 1976
Two letters concerning poetry readings and praising Departures.
F301 Fitzgerald, Robert, 1977
One letter.
F302 Fussell, Paul, 1979 Feb 2
One letter.
7 Series IV. Personal and professional correspondence (cont'd)
Series IV.1. Personal and literary correspondence (cont'd)
Gioia, Dana, 1985-1996
Forty-two letters regarding his job at General Foods, his poetry, contemporary
poets, mutual friends, Weldon Kees, Justice's poetry and painting, music, travels,
his interview with Justice, and Diane Wakoski. Includes two photographs of
Justice with Gioia and one of Gioia and his new baby. Also includes poems by
Gioia, articles and clippings, a copy of his introduction to a Weldon Kees volume,
and a list of possible poems for Justice's New and Selected Poems (with Gioia's
comments). See also Gioia's interview with Justice (F477).
F303 1985-1986
F304 1987
F305 1990-1996
F306 Glaser, Elton, 1995-1996
Six letters regarding their joint poetry reading at the University of New Orleans
and a request for Justice to judge the 1996 Akron Poetry Prize contest.
F307 Gross, Harvey, 1977-1978
Four letters concerning Justice's essay on poetic meter for The Structure of Verse,
co-edited by Gross.
F308 Haffenden, John, 1956-1987
Four letters requesting information regarding John Berryman for Haffenden's
biography of Berryman.
Hall, Donald, 1956-1987
Thirty letters discuss Hall's writing, publication and reviews, arranging a reading
for Justice at the University of Michigan, other poets, being labeled a
"conservative" poet, editing Platonic Scripts, and Justice's contributions for New
Poets of England and America (edited by Hall, Robert Pack, and Louis Simpson).
Includes galley proofs of Justice's poems for New Poets of England and America
and a permission sheet.
F309 1956-1978
F310 1981-1983
F311 1985-1987
Halpern, Daniel, 1977-1982
Twenty-eight letters discussing Justice's works published in Antaeus, mutual
friends, his work, and travels. Includes postcards from his travels in Morocco and
Europe, as well as a list of topics for a book on Wallace Stevens.
F312 1977
F313 1978-1981
F314 1982-1983
F315 Higgins, Thomas, 1969 Nov 17
One letter from the subject of Justice's poem, "Variations for the Piano."
F316 Hirsch, Edward, 1986
Two letters regarding Justice's poetry and a poetry reading.
F317 Hirschman, Jack, [1960 Jan 14]
One letter regarding Weldon Kees and Justice's poetry.
F318 Hollander, John, 1996 Feb 20
One letter concerning Justice's New and Selected Poems.
F319 Howard, Richard, 1971-1977
Four letters regarding Justice's poetry.
F320 Irving, John, 1976-1996
Four letters discussing his life in Vermont, readings, his novels, Cider House
Rules and Trying to Save Piggy Sneed. Includes a flyer which attributes poems
written by Justice to Irving.
F321 Jarman, Mark, 1994
Two letters regarding Justice's books, plus a copy of the journal, Pequod (1984),
in which Jarman's article, "Ironic Elegies: the Poetry of Donald Justice," appears.
7 Series IV. Personal and professional correspondence (cont'd)
Series IV.1. Personal and literary correspondence (cont'd)
Justice, Donald
Letters to Henri Coulette, 1959-1988
In over 110 letters, Justice discusses the Iowa Creative Writing Program, his
poetry, health, family, the Ford award, writing plays, mutual friends, travels,
teaching, readings, as well as critiqued poems written by Coulette. Includes
copies of his poems with extensive notes by Justice, two envelopes with a
photograph of Justice used as a seal, and a letter to Coulette from Harry E. Maule.
See also Coulette's letters to Justice (F294 and F28).
F322 1959-1962
F323 1963-1964
F324 1965-1968
F325 1969-1978
F326 1979-1982
F327 1983-1985
F328 1986-1988
F329 Letter to Mr. Torgersen, 1982 Oct 3
Draft letter disputing Torgersen's review in American Poetry Review.
F330 Letter to Mary Ethel Justice (mother), [1936-1937?]
Letters to Jean and Nat Justice (wife and son), 1960-1976
Twenty-eight letters written to his family during his travels for poetry readings,
summer teaching jobs, stays at the MacDowell Colony, and during a 1976 trip to
England with Henri Coulette. Affectionate letters in which he discussed his
travels, life in England, teaching and reading experiences, his health, and movies.
Includes three poems, a program, and a receipt.
F331 1960-1967
F332 1968-1976
F333 "Correspondence Diary," 1990-1993 Aug
One spiral-bound notebook in which Justice listed and numbered all letters written
between 1990 and 1993. Includes name of recipient, dates, a brief line about the
letter's contents, and lists enclosures.
F334 "Copy to all who took the recent M.F.A. Examination," [1970s]
Mimeograph copy of a letter from Justice to University of Iowa graduate students
regarding the poor writing displayed on recent M.F.A. examinations.
F335 "Notebook of lectures and certain business correspondence," 1990-1991
Legal-size notepad containing drafts of letters to Patrick Dillon (Atheneum),
Claudia Johnson, Belle Randall, Ken Fields, Joseph Parisi, Miller Williams, Paul
Elledge (re: Mark Jarman), Joseph Dermant, Dana Gioia, Eric Parker, plus letters
of reference for Leon Stokesbury, Jeff Franklin, and Lewis Turco. Also includes
lists of addresses, notes for library research, an outline for a course on poetry, and
a letter regarding personal investments. The notepad also includes notes for a
reading and notes for a lecture at Breadloaf in 1990. 36 pp.
F336 Drafts of letters, 1991-1992
Loose pages of autograph drafts of letters to Elise Pascher, Jane Jones, Charles
Martin, Robert Pack, Stephen Robitaillo, Scott Jones, Charles Wright, Dee Clark,
Steve Kunsisto, Matthew Graham, Henry Carlile, Vern Rutsala, Ed London, W.
D. Snodgrass, Harry Ford, Richard Frost, Harriet Mosher, Gregory Smith, Melissa
Hammerle, Lewis Turco, Sidney Berger, and others. Also includes a 1991 update
to Justice's resume and a letter of reference for Peter Klappert. 32 pp.
F337 Drafts of letters, 1991-1992
Standard-size notepad, with some loose pages inserted, containing drafts of
recommendations for Robert Mezey, Dana Gioia, Gail Shepherd, Padgett Powell,
William Logan, Eric Parker, as well as a letter regarding Breadloaf. Also includes
five pages of revisions for Dana Gioia's interview (F477) of Justice (published in
a 1995 issue of American Poetry Review) and four pages of notes related to
research for a course on poetry.
F338 Drafts of letters, [1992]
Standard-size notepad with autograph drafts of letters to Kate Hensler, Paul
Mariani, and others. 6 pp.
F339 Drafts of letters, 1994
Standard-size notepad (plus a few pages laid in) with autograph drafts of letters to
Willis Regier, T. McFarland, Donald Hall, Harry Ford, Walter Martin, William
Logan, Robert Pack, and others. Also includes letters of recommendation for
Carol Frost, Debora Gregor, Bill Young, Ginny MacKenzie, Steve Kronen, and
Offitt. Also includes paragraphs reviewing books by Richard Russo, Stuart
Dybek, and Andre Dubris III. 33 pp.
F340 Drafts of letters, 1995
Standard-size notepad which contains drafts of letters to Stephen Foster,
Catherine Davis, Hualing Engle, Edgar Bower, James Reidel, and others. Also
includes a list of names and addresses.
F341 Drafts of letters, [1996]
Standard-size notepad containing autograph drafts of letters to Glenna Nowell,
Danny Smith, Mark Melnicove, Robert Farnsworth, Peter Jay, and others. Also
includes a list of expenses for a trip to New England.
F342 Kronen, Steve, 1995 Aug 6
One card celebrating Justice's seventieth birthday.
F343 Lang, Daniel, 1994 Sep 27
One letter regarding his establishment of an art school in Italy for the University
of Tulsa.
Levine, Philip, 1970-1982
Sixteen letters discussing John Berryman, mutual friends (Mezey, Bell), his
readings, Yaddo, other poets, Atheneum, get-togethers with Justice, and academic
department politics.
F344 1970-1972
F345 1973, 1982
8 Series IV. Personal and professional correspondence (cont'd)
Series IV.1. Personal and literary correspondence (cont'd)
F346 Logan, John, 1954 Nov 27
One letter regarding Justice's poetry.
Logan, William, 1985-1995
Thirty-three letters regarding his current writing projects, faculty life, book
reviews, other poets, readings, his sabbatical in England, his personal life and
family. Includes poems by Logan, newspaper clippings and programs from
England, and photocopies of letters to others.
F347 1985 May-Jul
F348 1985 Aug-Nov
F349 1986-1987
F350 1994-1995
F351 London, Ed, 1980 Mar 18
One card from this composer who collaborated with Justice on Death of Lincoln.
F352 Mariani, Paul, 1987-1996
Three letters regarding his writing, audio cassette tapes featuring Jerome Mazzaro,
Harte Crane, and Justice's New and Selected Poems.
F353 Martin, Walter, 1994
Two letters regarding Justice's poems.
F354 McAfie, Thomas, [1956 Dec 12]
One Christmas greeting from a writer who was Justice's colleague at the
University of Missouri.
F355 McCain, Murray, 1957-1958
Two letters from Justice's undergraduate roommate at the University of North
Carolina, Chapel Hill (Fall 1944).
F356 Meredith, William, [1967 Dec 19]
One thank you note with Meredith's poem, "In the Canyon."
F357 Merker, K. K., 1964 August 27
One letter regarding publishing translations by Justice.
Mezey, Robert, 1976-1997
These eighty-one letters from Justice's long-time friend and fellow poet include
information regarding Mezey's writing, Justice's poetry, a long-distance chess
game between them, his family, travels, students, struggle with depression, the
death of Jim Wright, mutual friends, and other poets. Mezey has enclosed
clippings, typescript poems, and a typescript of his Seamus Heaney review.
F358 1976-1978
F359 1979
F360 1980
F361 1981-1982
F362 1986-1988
F363 1993-1994
F364 1995 Jan-Jul
F365 1995 Aug-Dec
F366 1996-1997
F367 Murphy, Richard, 1976-1986
Three letters regarding England, the University of Iowa, readings, U. S. university
teaching jobs, and Sri Lanka and the Tamils.
F368 Nims, John Frederick, 1994 Dec 7
One letter regarding Yugen.
8 Series IV. Personal and professional correspondence (cont'd)
Series IV.1. Personal and literary correspondence (cont'd)
F369 O'Donnell, George Marion, 1943
Three letters from the first poet with whom Justice was acquainted. O'Donnell's
letters discuss Justice's poems, his own writing, the job of a poet, and thoughts on
public recognition of poets or the lack thereof.
F370 Offutt, Chris, 1994
Two letters (with enclosed resume and typescript poems) regarding mutual
friends, his family, and writing a novel.
F371 O'Gorman, Ned, 1979
Two letters requesting Justice's reflections on Allen Tate for a biography
O'Gorman is writing.
F372 Pack, Robert, 1991 Aug 31
One letter regarding the future of the Breadloaf conference.
F373 Peich, Michael, 1990
Two letters regarding his printing of a poem written by Justice and Mezey titled
"Starkweather Ballad." Includes a typescript page regarding the creation of the
poem, with Justice's revisions and a note from Mezey.
F374 Plumly, Stanley, 1976-1982
Nine letters mentioning readings, travels, teaching at Princeton, Marvin Bell, and
poetry by Justice or himself.
F375 Ramsey, Paul, [n.d.]
One letter written to Mrs. Jean Justice regarding teaching and his family.
F376 Randall, Belle, [1991 Dec 16]
One letter regarding publishing a poem by Justice.
F377 Ruggles, Carl, 1943
Two letters from this American composer, with whom Justice studied music
composition, critiquing musical scores by Justice.
F378 Schmitt, Peter, 1991 Jan 31
One thank you card.
F379 Schulman, Grace, 1986 Mar 14
One letter praising Justice's translations of Rilke poems.
F380 Simon, Maurya, 1996 Mar 19
One card complimenting Justice's linocuts and his reading at Pomona, CA.
F381 Smith, Dave, 1976-1981
Four letters regarding working with Justice at the University of Florida.
F382 Snodgrass, W. D., 1994 Jun 11
One letter regarding Helmut Goebbels, his writing and his Erieville home.
F383 Sollberger, Harvey, 1967-1968
Three letters requesting permission to write a musical score based on Justice's
poem, "To the Hawks."
F384 Spender, Stephen, 1977 Jan 14
One letter regarding Departures and meeting Justice in Iowa City.
F385 Spires, Elizabeth, 1995
One letter regarding Justice's poetry and her Worldling.
F386 Starbuck, George, 1965-1971
Six letters regarding readings and teaching at the University of Iowa.
Stern, Richard, 1951-1995
Forty-eight letters from poet Stern discussing plays in New York, his teaching,
travels, writing a novel, and his poetry, as well as critiquing poems by Justice. He
mentions Marianne Moore, Eudora Welty, Saul Bellow, and John Berryman.
Enclosed are a few poems, letters from others, and a 1955 letter offering Justice a
teaching position at the University of Chicago. Also includes one letter from Gay
Stern.
F387 1951-1955
F388 1956
F389 1957-1962
F390 1964
F391 1986
F392 1987
F393 1988-1995
8 Series IV. Personal and professional correspondence (cont'd)
Series IV.1. Personal and literary correspondence (cont'd)
Strand, Mark, 1964-1995
One hundred and thirty-four letters from poet Strand discussing his travels,
teaching, poetry, anthologies, the Iowa Workshop, other poets, his family,
Justice's poems and paintings, readings, buying land in Nova Scotia, gambling,
and mutual friends. Enclosed are typescripts or photocopies of poems by Stern,
autograph notes on a play, a page of doodles by Strand, and a copy of Strand's
1978 satire, "The Presidential Resignation."
F394 1964-1965
F395 1966
F396 1967-1970
F397 1971
F398 1972 Jan-Jul
F399 1972 Aug-Dec
F400 1973
F401 1974-1976
F402 1977-1978
F403 1979-1984
F404 1985-1987
F405 1989-1995 and [n.d.]
F406 Taylor, Peter, 1948-1994
Three letters regarding Justice's poems, jobs, and recommending students for the
Iowa Workshop.
Turco, Lewis, 1964 and 1986-1995
Thirteen letters from poet Turco discussing mutual friends, translations, teaching
at Hillsdale, and writing. Enclosed are clippings and reviews by Turco. One
letter is written on the verso of a broadside of Turco's poem, "Oswego" (1988).
F407 1964
F408 1986-1995
F409 Twichell, Chase, 1979 Mar 9
One letter regarding jobs and gambling.
F410 Vendler, Helen, 1980
Two letters praising Justice's Selected Poems.
F411 Voigt, Ellen, 1995
One thank you card.
F412 Weiss, Theodore Russell, 1976 Oct 24
One letter regarding Princeton and a mutual friend.
F413 Williams, Miller, 1976-1986
Five letters regarding readings, travels, and acknowledging Justice's praise for his
book.
F414 Winters, Yvor, 1954
Two letters responding to Justice's review of his book and regarding students who
imitate his poetry.
F415 Wiseman, Christopher, 1994-1996
Six letters regarding teaching, writing, and readings in England. Enclosed is a
Thomas Hardy program.
F416 Wormser, Baron, 1985-1988
Fourteen letters (plus one article) regarding art, Francis Bacon, his poetry, and
reviewing The Sunset Maker.
Wright, Charles, 1965-1995
One hundred and thirty letters from poet and long-time friend Charles Wright, in
which he discusses his poetry, his wife (artist Holly McIntire), teaching, his
health, awards, travels, California poets, the University of Virginia, and the Iowa
Workshop. Includes typescript poems and an essay by Wright.
F417 1965-1966
F418 1967-1970
F419 1971
F420 1972-1973
F421 1974-1976
F422 1977
F423 1978-1979
F424 1980-1982
F425 1983-1984
F426 1985-1986
F427 1987-1995
F428 Wright, Franz, 1982-1996
Letters from the son of James Wright in which he discusses his health, poetry, and
appreciation for Justice's encouragement. Includes poems by Franz Wright.
F429 Wright, Stuart, [1987 Feb 2]
One letter regarding Justice's papers.
9 Series IV. Personal and professional correspondence (cont'd) Series IV.2. Business correspondence, 1942-1996
Arranged alphabetically by publisher, organization, or company and then
chronologically within folders. The series includes one folder of
miscellaneous business correspondence which is filed at the end.
F430 The Academy of American Poets, 1974-1987
Three letters (two from Henri Cole) regarding readings for the Academy and a
"Poets' Salute to Harry Ford," plus a tax receipt.
F431 American Poetry Review, 1976-1983
Most of the nine letters are with editor Arthur Vogelsang, regarding Justice's
submissions or requests for permissions.
F432 Antaeus/Ecco Press, 1984-1988
Three letters, two from Daniel Halpern, regarding publication of Justice's poems.
F433 Anvil Press, 1976-1985
Twenty-five letters regarding Anvil Press's British publication of Selected Poems.
Includes royalty statements, copies of reviews, and advertisements for the book.
Most of the letters are from Peter Jay and include personal information regarding
Jay's family and own writing, plus several poems written by Jay. See also
Antheneum Press for related correspondence (F434-441).
Atheneum/Macmillan
Atheneum merged into Macmillan in June of 1984. Most of the correspondence
is between editor Harry Ford and Justice, and includes the original letters written
by Justice to Ford. Their discussions center on Atheneum's publication of
Departures (1973), Selected Poems (1979), and The Sunset Maker (1987).
Correspondence, 1972-1992
F434 1972-1975
F435 1976-1978
F436 1979
F437 1980
F438 1981-1983
F439 1984-1986
F440 1987-1989
F441 1990-1992
F442 Royalty statements, 1974-1992
Includes check stubs, Justice's completed author's questionnaire, and statements.
F443 Atlantic, 1983-1986
Three letters from poetry editor Peter Davison.
F444 British Broadcasting Corporation, 1959
Three letters requesting permission to broadcast a BBC "Third Programme" which
would include the poetry of Justice and other young American poets (1959 Jul 5).
F445 The Georgia Review, 1982 Jan 31
Justice letter regarding a review by Stitt.
F446 Harper's Magazine, 1958-1959
Four letters, including three from R. B. Silver, regarding the publication of
Justice's poems in 1959.
F447 Houghton Mifflin Company, 1987-1990
Letters from Al Poulin and Peter Davison regarding Contemporary American
Poetry.
F448 Hudson River Press/Hawk's Well Press, 1958-1959
Eighteen letters from Jerome Dennis Rothenberg regarding the publication of
Justice's poetry. The press had a contract to publish Summer Anniversaries, but
because of press problems, Justice was amicably released from the contract and
the book was published by Wesleyan. Rothenberg nominated Justice for the
Lamont Prize. Enclosed is volume one of Poems From the Floating World.
F449 The Iowa Review, 1982-1986
Twelve letters with editor Dave Hamilton regarding "Notes of an Outsider."
F450 Libraries, 1958-1982
Letters from libraries at the University of Buffalo, Weslyan University, University
of Florida, and the Pierpont Morgan Library regarding lectures or donations of
manuscripts by Justice.
F451 The New Criterion, 1984-1995
Twenty-one letters from Robert Richman regarding publication of Justice's
poems, with copies of letters from Philip Levine and Fellowes.
F452 The New Yorker, 1956-1994
Eighteen letters from editors Howard Moss, Alice Quinn, or Charles McGrath,
regarding the copyrights, acceptance, rejection, and/or publication of Justice's
poems. Some letters include Justice's typescript poems, which bear editor's
notations. Check stubs and fan letters are also included.
9 Series IV. Personal and professional correspondence (cont'd)
Series IV.2. Business correspondence (cont'd)
F453 Poetry, 1942-1986
Eight letters from Karl Shapiro, Henry Rago, or John Frederick Nims regarding
publication of Justice's poems and the Inez Boulton Prize in 1960. Also includes
a group of three early rejection notices (1942-1943) from Poetry, American
Mercury, and The Atlantic Monthly, all pasted to one sheet.
F454 Princeton University, 1974
Two letters from Carlos Baker regarding Justice's engagement as the Bain-Swiggett Lecturer in the Spring of 1976.
F455 The Southern Review, 1994-1995
Four letters regarding publication or copyright of Justice's poetry and the
inclusion of his poetry in Pushcart Press XX.
F456 University of Iowa, 1976
Two letters from John Leggett regarding Justice's leave of absence for a
Guggenheim Fellowship.
University of Michigan Press, 1967-1993
Includes correspondence, contract, royalty statements, check stubs, and income
tax records. The press published Platonic Scripts, Contemporary French Poetry,
and Poets on Poetry, to which Justice contributed. Also includes reviews of
Contemporary French Poetry.
Correspondence
F457 1966-1982
F458 1983-1988
F459 Royalty statements and financial papers, 1965-1993
Wesleyan University Press, 1959-1990
Wesleyan University Press, which later merged with the University Press of New
England, published Summer Anniversaries and Night Light. Some Wesleyan
correspondence is present in the series for those books. Includes correspondence,
royalty statements, copies of checks, and tax forms. The correspondence
primarily covers publication details, such as permissions, contracts, proof pages,
publicity, and readings. Information about the Lamont Prize and plagiarism of
Justice's poems is also present.
Correspondence, 1959-1994
F460 1959-1960
F461 1961-1965
F462 1966-1968
F463 1969-1994 and [n.d.]
Royalty reports, 1961-1990
F464 1961-1975
F465 1976-1985
F466 1986-1990
F467 Miscellaneous business correspondence, 1948-1996
Arranged in chronological order, this folder of correspondence includes eighteen
letters from various magazines, journals, and organizations. Magazine and
journals include Mademoiselle, The Paris Review, New York Times Review of
Books, The Formalist, The New England Review, Nation, The Statesman, and
North American Review. Most of the letters discuss publication of Justice's
poems. Includes a typescript of Justice's poem, "Doom Poem (To the Hawks)"
and letters from Hayden Carruth, Grace Schulman, Paul Carroll, and Donald Hall.